Paul Eustice

About Paul:

Paul was born in Redruth on 23rd March, 1961. He started playing guitar at the age of 13/14. His first band was a punk outfit called ‘The Imports’. He later formed ‘Flight 77’; a guitar-based, new wave band who won TDK Battle of Bands Finals and supported a number of British Chart Bands on the Uni Circuit back in the early 80’s. Paul moved to Bristol in the mid 80’s and formed ‘Love Among The Ruins’ who signed to Page One Recordsand Publishing and also signed management contracts with Kinks Manager ‘Larry Page’.
Paul has played at The London Palladium, did TV work with the BBC and ITV.
His music has also received a great deal of airplay including Radio 1 and John Peel.

Paul then “Took a long break to grow up” and formed ‘The Viewers’ in 2010/11.

Paul’s ‘AMP-TALK’:

I’ve always been a big fan of the sounds created by guitar-based bands from the 1960s and early 70’s. Back then, the guitar was king and for me, still is. Expressing what you feel via any instrument still takes some beating when connecting with an audience. I’ve always preferred a clean sound with plenty of bite that sits right on the edge of feedback. The kit I use gives me that no matter what the set up. But my secret weapon (and every guitarist should have one) is my Janglebox JB3 pedal (see pic). Essentially, this is a glorified compressor which pre-amps. The sustain and clarity it provides is unrivalled. I bought mine as an import from the US and it wasn’t cheap. Not many people know about them here in the UK but I saw one of my guitar heroes (Mike Campbell, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) use one at The Albert Hall a few years ago. I walked up to the front of the stage to see what he used and he had a Janglebox. I dunno exactly what it does but when it is switched off, my guitars sound just like anyone else’s in any music shop, anywhere. When I switch this thing on, the magic happens.

Amp-wise, of course, it has to be a VOX AC30. I’ve used Fenders, Marshalls and all sorts down through the years. Even had a WEM at one point. But the VOX’s natural presence and harmonics is perfect for the noises I want to make.

As for guitars; my main guitar in The Viewers is my trademark Rickenbacker 12 String Jetglo. One chord chime from this and you are instantly transformed to the 1960’s. Being the rhythm guitarist in this band, I need instruments which give clarity, a certain sound and which hold a song together no matter what’s going on around me. The Ricky is perfect for this as is my Takamine Acoustic. I tried, Gibson Hummingbirds, and Martins but my Takamine Acoustic EG523SC is just such a great guitar and sounds amazing no matter what you plug it into. No fuss, just great performance. I played an Antoria Jumbo when recording ‘Universal Sky’ which was at Nigel Gray’s studio. He had just about every acoustic guitar you could think of in there but this inexpensive £350 guitar was just superb – I almost knicked it from him at the time. As for bite, I use a Telecaster Custom. I’ve always used Telecasters. They’re so reliable and unfussy. The best Telecaster I have ever played was made by ‘Gray Guitars, London’ which I also used throughout the recording of ‘Universal Sky’ (see pic). Finally, I have an Epiphone Semi Acoustic 335 Pro II which I use when recording sometimes. The feedback from this guitar is so easy to control when you want to get dirty.